To become the Sharp family’s daughter-in-law…
With the strange atmosphere that night, Elena was mentally prepared for what Henry might say. However, she thought that he had only wanted to ask if she would want to be in a relationship with him.
As to whether she felt enthusiastic about it, the truth was that she did not feel anything about it at all. They were too familiar with one another due to the time they had spent with each other. There was no difference if they were together or not.
At least, that was what she felt. A feeling was a feeling, no matter how small or big. Furthermore, Henry had taken care of her during that period. She did not know if it were out of gratitude that she was not opposed to the progression of their relationship. However, she had not given any thoughts to the position as the Sharp’s family daughter-in-law.
“Henry…”
“Are you unable to accept it all at once, or are you disgusted about it?” Henry stared straight into her gem-like eyes. He felt as if he could see her soul in the deepest part of her heart.
Elena was stunned, but she relaxed soon after that. She could not see anything hidden in his eyes. If neither of them would have another lover for the rest of their lives, then it was not a bad idea for them to get together.
“No, not disgusted.”
“I knew it.”
“Hmph!” She wanted to roll her eyes at him.
There was one question that piqued Elena’s interest. “Do you like me?”
“Of course, I like you.” Why would he want her to be his wife if he did not like her?
“Do you love me?”
Henry’s mind went blank when she asked him that. He stared at her eyes and looked at her as if she was something novel and strange. Love? He heard that word before, but he had never experienced it yet. What was love?
After a while, Henry said, “I won’t have an affair, I won’t abandon you, and I won’t take the initiative to divorce you.”
“And?” If one could do all that for a woman, was that love?
“And?” Suddenly, he felt that it was somewhat difficult to continue the conversation.
“Second Young Master Sharp, do you know what it means to love a woman?”
“My body has urges for you.” Was that love?
Would a man not love a woman’s body first? At least, that was what the Internet said. Elena wanted to laugh. Was Second Young Master Sharp too upright, or was he too presumptuous? Whichever it was, he looked silly.
“So, you think that you love me because… you have urges for me?”
“Must you clarify it like that?” Was it not important that the two of them were comfortable and happy when they were together?
Henry’s words confused Elena. Did she have to clarify that? Was she unhappy when they were together? What was love? What was marriage?
Just because one loved another did not mean one would be able to marry them. Just because they were not in love did not mean they would not have a good life after marriage.
Was happiness not the essential factor in a relationship? When he saw her bewildered appearance, Henry’s lips curled into a smile.
“Looks like this is a lesson that neither of us could understand. None of us knew better than the other.”
He raised his finger to tuck a lock of hair on her face behind her ear.
Then, his long finger traced a line across her face toward her chin and tilted her face upward.
“I don’t really know how to love a girl. This is the first time I’ve been so close to a girl, doing so many things I’ve never done before.
“You’re the first girl I’ve ever hugged. Can you give me time and opportunity to learn this so-called love that you wanted?”
However, Elena’s eyes sank, and her expression dimmed.
“Your fingers are cold.” Henry took her hand and placed it on his chest. “Are you going to tell me that I’m not your first man?”
“It’s not fair…”
“Nothing is fair in this world. If I were to have any regrets, then it’s because I didn’t meet you before he did.”
Henry took her hands and held them tightly between his palms.
“Maybe I don’t know what love is, but I know I want to be with you.
“This month has been the happiest days of my life. I’m no longer alone when I’m home. When I’m happy, there’s someone I can share the joy with. When I’m busy with work, there’s someone who would tell me to go to bed early.
“I used to like drinking alone, but with you, I’ve never needed a daily drink for more than a month now. I can sleep very well without that drink now.
“And yes, I sleep well every night. I can sleep soundly because I know that you’re in the next room. And if you were to sleep beside me, let me hug you, and do other stuff with you, maybe I’ll sleep even better.”
Elena was speechless. Do other stuff with her? Why would he think about those perverted thoughts?
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Henry looked helpless. “I’m talking about having a chat and watching the TV. What are you thinking about?”
Elena had no answer for him. Who the hell would believe that he wanted to have a little chat under a blanket?
“Look at you, you naughty woman! You must be thinking about taking advantage of me.”
He suddenly turned around and sat in a chair before he plopped her onto his lap. It was clearly a woman-on-top position!
“If you want that, then I can be of assistance. See, I’m treating you well enough, right? I won’t resist if you want it.”
Why did she have the urge to vomit blood? No one had that in their mind!
“You can’t possibly be thinking of that now?” Henry raised an eyebrow and abruptly reached out to unbutton his clothes.
“Very well, I’ll cooperate whenever and wherever. Be gentle; this is my first time.”
“You idio—”
“Don’t swear! Although I did hear that it’s more exciting to swear while you’re doing it.”
Henry liked to see her blush.
Elena wanted to hit his head. Could he not talk like a normal person?
“What do you think?” He smiled and held her slender waist with both of his hands. “Won’t it feel good to be married to me? Do you still want to think about it?”
“Mr. Sharp seemed to have a lot of interesting ideas, but unfortunately, I still find it a little hard to accept.” Elena could only roll her eyes at him.
“Why? Do you think it’s a good thing if men only had pure thoughts about women? If that’s the case, how are humans going to reproduce?”
He did not sound too crass, and he was right, was he not?
Elena ignored him. She wanted to get off him when she realized that there was something wrong with their postures.
When Henry finally looked down, her face blushed again.
“Don’t talk nonsense, let me get down first…”
“Our conversation isn’t over yet.” Henry continued to hold her waist and did not let go. He even pulled her against his body, so the two of them would fit closer together.
“You haven’t given me an answer yet.”
“Answer?” She thought he had only been playful when they had the conversation, but then his jovial attitude morphed into seriousness. She suddenly felt nervous again.
Henry sat up straight, and he had the height advantage. She still had to look up at him even though she was on his lap. His intense eyes were fixed onto her face, and at that moment, it did not seem like he wanted to give her a chance to back away.
“Marry me. Then, if you don’t want to, you won’t ever need to return to him.”